First baseball practice

This morning was Miles' first baseball practice.  It was pretty warm already by 9:30am, so the kids were pretty distracted and sweaty. I will try and blame their lack of attention span on the heat, but I'm sure its just the way kids are.
They fielded some grounders, ran some bases, and practiced throwing too.  There wasn't any batting practice at all today.

There was lots of waiting around for your turn too - the group was pretty large!  As mentioned previously, the draft will be on Thursday.  I'm hoping that they'll start practicing as individual teams after that.  His next practice, weather pending, is Friday night at 6pm.  We should find out what team he's on that night too!

All the kids were taking turns throwing at the fence.  Miles threw WILD...  Don't believe me? Watch below. Where's the concentration?

Being a coach for these kids would be tough.  There's a lot of repeating yourself, trying to be encouraging while instructing, restating your demand with different words, trying to give the instruction in another language, and uhm, I mentioned repeating yourself, right??   I think you get the idea. The coach in the video above was amusing.

Some of my favorite quotes from Coach Carlos were:

• Watch where you're walking. These are soft balls, but it's still going to hit you in the head.
• Get your finger out of your nose.
• Stop playing in the dirt
• Pay attention.
• Wake up
• Your glove goes on your hand.
• Lift your other leg. No, the other leg.
• Nice throw. Wait, you have to let go. Try again.

Yes... I'm kind of hoping Miles ends on Coach Carlos's team.  He's a funny guy!


- Posted from my iPhone

Location:Smith Park, Chicago, IL

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Posted in: Baseball,Chicago,Miles,Video

Parents can be Athletic too...

Putting together a couple of blogs for our family goings-on, I realized that the blog has become very Miles-centric.  I love that little man - don't get me wrong!  But why not step out a little to let you know that Nate and I do have active lives that do not involve 4-6 year old athletics! This is a blog about the family, is it not?!

To begin, Nate is studying and taking exams, like-a-boss!
He's been combing through binders of material to review the facts and formulas needed to pass the 7 exams that make up the Architectural Registration Exam for licensure. So far, so good!

Nate's softball league with his co-workers starts up again on June 7th.  He'll play every Thursday, assuming he's not injured or backed-up with a tight deadline at work.  Again, it's an architectural league this year. Local firms put together teams and they play each other for bragging rights.  If there's one thing that I've learned about architects in my long-time relationship with Nate - it's that they prefer to mingle with their own kind! (see bullet point #13 pasted below from "Dating an Architect" by Bob Borson)

• Be prepared for all your new friends to be other architects. Architects lose the ability to speak like regular people because in college, “archispeak” is drilled into their heads like waterboarding. Listen to an architect talk for an evening and I can guarantee that you will hear at least one of the following words:  ”juxtaposition” “axis mundi” “clarity” “truncated” “uniformity” and “composition”.

Can I also add "phenomenological" and "methodologies" ??

Nate's also planning to run a race this summer (Thurs., May 23)! Again, his office a put together a group of active bodies to run in the J.P.Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge! It's a 3.5 mile race.  Miles and I are super excited to cheer him on, even though Nate HATES running!!

I've also signed up for a few races.
Coming up on Saturday, May 25, I'll be running the Soldier Field 10-miler!  I've done it once before, but this  year is super exciting!  It's the 10th anniversary of the race and the shirts are FINALLY ChiBear's colors!

On Sunday, June 23, I will be running in the Chicago Women's Half Marathon. Also, on Saturday, July 27th, I will be running in the BTN BIG10K. Fun, fun!  There are so many other fun races yearning for my attention, but I really need to settle down.

Other than that, our summer will involve weekends to the beaches along Lake Michigan, camping getaways, family time, and far-away family time!  Happy start to your summer!

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Posted in: Baseball,Chicago,Kelly,Nathan,running

Baseball Draft

Miles will have practice for outdoor baseball league on Saturday, May 18th (That's why he's missing soccer)
This is the weekend the kids are 'scouted' for skills.
On Thursday (May 23rd), the coaches will then meet for the draft.

Yes, I said it. Draft!!
There's a little pressure involved in playing well for the coaches so that they can draft him for a team?!?!
He's only 4.  This is a 4-6 year old league.

Of course his father loves this about the league!  He 'knows' his son is a big deal and will be a major contributor to his team. Sometimes, I just don't understand how the male mind works?!?!  Can't we just get together to play baseball and have a little fun?  I've been assured that this process is fun...

A little extra thought about the draft concept and watching a few more soccer games has shown me that a draft is actually a good idea.  They just want to divide up the skill sets of kids evenly so that the games are fun for everyone.  The soccer league divides the kids up lottery-style by age.  Some teams end up running all over other teams.  Even though the league doesn't keep score, many of the kids understand what's going on. I really can't wait to see Miles play baseball as a part of a team!

Again, only time will tell this season.  The games begin June 1 and goes through mid-August.

I'll do my best to remember to take pictures this weekend to let you know what's going on :)

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Posted in: Baseball,Chicago,Miles

Soccer has begun!

I'm sure that many of you remember the Soccer fun from last summer!
For a 3 year old, Miles was actually pretty good. He was a lot more aggressive that we thought he would be.   It was his first experience of a team sport with peers and he really liked it.

So - fast forward to 2013.  Miles is now 4 and considers himself a master of all sports! When we asked him if he wanted to play soccer again this spring, he screamed 'YES' and noted how 'pumped up' he was for the season to begin! He still remembers last season fondly and often assures us that he is going to be even more aggressive this year. Personally, I'm not that worried about his ability to play aggressive.  I'm hoping he spends a little extra time practicing ball control and aim.

Only time will tell, right?
This year, Miles is on the Orange Iguanas!

Game 1 was April 27th.

He was ready to go! Running all over the field, unafraid of people in his way, and a decent ability to run down the field.

Because Nate makes a big deal over goals scored by Miles, we keep count.  Miles would tell you that he scored 2 goals in his first game, but those of us watching would count them a little differently.

Miles ran into a pack of kids huddled around the ball in the middle of the field and came out the other side right away. He dribbled the ball down the edge of the field toward his goal, and began to turn in towards the goal to score.  His dribble got a little ahead of him and his teammate nudged the ball into the goal for the score.  Miles had a strong assist - technically no goal.  I was impressed.

Miles made several other shots at the goal throughout the game.  Miles thought that one of them went in.  He had a kick straight on that actually left the ground a little and looked to be an easy score.  Unfortunately, right after making the shot, Miles tripped and missed the end of the play.  A kid crossed in front of the goal and blocked the shot.  Miles stood up and ran to the center of the field celebrating as if he had scored.  He was so proud and I didn't have the heart to tell him the truth.

Miles still got McDonald's for scoring a goal(s).

Game 2 was missed due to travel.

Game 3 was May 11th.
Miles played very well again, however I forgot to take any pictures.
He was fast and tough.  He scored one goal - FOR REAL this time!
He was rather proud of himself. Nathan was beaming and treated Miles to a vanilla shake with a cherry on top from McDonald's immediately following the game.

I'm beginning to think a trip to McD's is going to happen more often now that Miles understands the fundamentals a little better.

Game 4 (this coming weekend) will be missed due to a baseball conflict - stay tuned for details on that!

The soccer season continues through June 15th.

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Posted in: Chicago,Miles,soccer

Indoor Baseball Finale

I know this is all really old information, but I decided to make it a permanent memory - in the form of this blog post!

I started the story here and am back to finish up the story now that the class has officially ended.
Here's the quick recap and final summary:

We had a hard time enduring a long winter trapped indoors.  Cabin fever hit Miles the hardest, leading to our enrolling him in an indoor baseball clinic with Lil Slugger's Chicago!
The clinic lasted 7 weeks during our low-travel months and took place inside the Windy City Fieldhouse.
Here's a photo/video dump:

Miles LOVED the coaches, the drills, and the skills!

The best part - the medal!!!

I definitely think that we'll try this out again next year!

We even noticed that the fieldhouse holds birthday parties.
Guess who turns 5 this year?!?!

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Posted in: Baseball,Chicago,Miles,Video

The big Spring Show

Friday was the big Spring Show at Miles’ school/daycare.  His class had been practicing for well over a month.  Miles was VERY excited – not that you’re surprised. He’s always been a bit of a performer.
Each class took their turn. Miles’ class was last. They did 2 songs from the “Sound of Music.” They started with “Do Ra Mi” and finished the program with “So long, Farewell.” They were so cute – I cried, as usual!  I loved it!  You can enjoy it here:

Sorry about missing parts of it.  We sat behind a woman with BIG hair.  Also, the sound was captured differently as they moved the performance into the sanctuary at LaSalle Street Church.  No matter to me – I wouldn’t miss these performances for anything! Heart - MELTED!
The show’s finale was fitting for another reason.  Miles’ best friend (in the yellow tutu above)moved out of state directly following the performance. Her dad was promoted requiring them to move out of state. Miles is devastated, but we hope to keep in contact.  He gave her stationary so that they can be pen pals!
So long, farewell, dear friend! You’re new school is lucky to have you!

  

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Posted in: Chicago,Miles,Video

Good-bye Cabin Fever. Hello Spring Training.

I don't know about you, but we are so sick of winter.  We are not fans of being stuck indoors, especially not since we moved further downtown.  Don't get me wrong, we love our new place, but it feels substantially smaller than our loft.

We need to get out and move a little more. We are getting hopeful and starting to emerge from hibernation.
I've already signed up for a race this spring and have been carefully trying to pick out a couple more for the summer. I'm excited to start logging miles again.  My anxious heart needs it!

Nate is trying to map out camping trips and shop for new cleats before the start of his softball season. Sadly, he won't get to leave "the cabin" much until after his Structures Exam mid-March.

Miles is already moving! He just couldn't wait!
Miles is taking part in an indoor session of Lil Slugger's Baseball. His first session was last weekend. He had quite an audience as Grandma K, Grandpa K, and Josh were all in town for a visit.

We arrived early so that he could study the kids, coaches, and different stations before throwing him in.

They practiced hitting, throwing, running and several of the other basics!  Miles was disappointed that he had to hit off the tee.  He thinks he's too good for it. We assured him that even the pro's practice on tee's once in a while... back me up on that! All was redeemed when he hit a couple coach pitched balls later on.


Fast and focused... I'm so proud!  He takes it very seriously :)

This past weekend (week 2), Miles got his shirt!  The shirts were RED!  Miles LOVES red!  Saturday was a very good day! And after an hour of fielding grounders, hitting, and sliding into bases, Miles made it clear that he couldn't wait for next weekend.

Sometimes I worry that we push sports on Miles a little too much.  His enthusiasm each week calms my heart.  At this point, baseball is still something that he wants to do. Luckily, he's really good at it too! The 3 of us had a heart-to-heart about the potential for more summer athletic involvement. Miles dominated the conversation. Needless to say........
As of this morning, he's been signed up for a Chicago Parks District soccer league for 3-5 year olds (the same as last year). Tomorrow, registration opens up for a summer Chicago Parks District (outdoor) t-ball league for 4-7 year olds!
Yes.. our summer will be outdoorsy and busy! Just the way we like it!

- Posted from my iPhone

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Posted in: Chicago,Kelly,Miles,Nathan

Valentine's Day 2013

Yesterday, the boys surprised me with a card, a heart-shaped box of chocolate, and red roses!  I loved my precious morning, but had to hurry off for a early start at work.

The boys rode the bus together (for necessity and for fun) to get a little extra bonding time in together before starting their busy days.  Nate's been working late all week.  The poor guy is super tired, but accomplished as ever!

After school, Miles and I picked up a couple things to finish up his Valentine's for the party on Friday (today).  We also went on a dinner date to Panera!.  Miles paid.  Whatta man!

Once we got home, we popped in the Madagascar 3 RedBox DVD, made some Valentine cookies and cranked out a bunch of Valentines.

We stamped and wrote on some black cardstock, made a bunch of friendship bracelets and fastened them to the cardstock!

Success! 20 bracelets were made - all of them different!

Yeah, I was still twisting and weaving thread well past 10, but they look awesome!  Best part - they are sugar-free AND will last longer than "a moment on the lips!"

I was pleasantly surprised when Nate came home a bit earlier than expected, but was left falling asleep on the couch while I completed my motherly obligations.  It was really nice to have him home, even if he was memorizing the back of his eyelids :)

Happy Valentines, my friends!
I feel loved! Hope that you do too!

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Posted in: Miles,Nathan

Short videos that made my week....

Hi! I just wanted to take this moment to share with all of you - a couple of videos that melted my heart this week!
Yes, I realize this is not a personal post about the goings-on with my family, but it is a post about the inter-workings of my head.  I've been misfiring for a while now.....

First of all, we love the show, New Girl.  Quarky funny, for sure!  I've been waiting several seasons for Nick and Jessica to realize that they were meant to be together. Check out that kiss!!

Wow!

Next... I sometimes find it a little tough to get going in the morning!  Who's with me!?

Subject yourself to this pep talk.  

You'll love me for it!  

(...and I love Space Jam!)

Finally... Who doesn't love a puppet show starring Socky the Sock Puppet?

Happy Wednesday AND last day of January, my friends!

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Posted in: Miles,Video

Not so Quick errand....done!

Miles and I had a day off from work and school to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr day. Sadly, dad had to work.  The pictures below were taken to update him via picture text all day.  We didn't want dad to miss out on our fun!

We started the day out like any normal “home” day… 
Breakfast in our PJs, cartoons, cleaning, cartoons, board games and puzzles.

But at last, once the apartment was cleaned and sanitized, we were able to get out of the house long enough to run a couple errands.

I wanted to get fitted for a new pair of running shoes.  I promised Miles that if he was a patient little angel at the shoe store, we’d find him a little glove oil for his new glove.

(Yes, it was a Christmas gift, and No, we didn’t make time before today to get the oil. Please save your snarky comments!)

Helmets that match the bats!

He tried on every kind of helmet he could find.  Once he found the t-ball bats, he tried them all on again!  There were bats to match every helmet!

...like a glove!

Next, Miles found white batting gloves.  He informed me that he doesn't have any like this yet.  They were actually sized for "T-ball" kids - fun, huh?  
He also informed me: "These gloves fit perfect, but I do not need them.  I eat super healthy so that makes me grow super fast.  These gloves will not fit for the week..."

Catcher's Mask/helmet

Are catchers grumpy? tough? mean?  What look was he going for? Next, we spent a lot of time looking for a catcher's mitt.....

Is that signal for a curve ball?

The adventure didn't limit itself to the baseball section. We also explored the basketball, hockey, skateboarding, and football sections of the store. Luckily parking was free!!

I really don't have anything to say about this picture.  Miles just said "Mom, I like this hat.  Take a picture for dad. He needs to see it."
Done and Done. Quick errand(s) completed, just not so quick!
- Posted from my iPhone

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Posted in: Miles

Things my kid says

Miles got a lot of new stuff for Christmas!  Today, we are going to talk about this new shirt in particular!(Thanks Uncle Caleb and Aunt Laura!)


He put it on today and immediately proclaimed:
Miles: Do you guys like my new shirt? It's an A's shirt.
Kelly: Do you remember who gave you that shirt?
Miles: Yup. Caleb.  He likes the A's.
Nate: Maybe it's a Packer shirt.
Kelly:  It could be. Laura gave it to you too. She likes the Packers.
Miles: No! It's an A's shirt.
Nate:  I think it's a Mason Crosby shirt.
Kelly:  Oooh, are you Aaron Rodgers?
Miles:  No! It's an A's shirt. (getting rather frustrated)
Kelly: Ok, ok.  Are you Coco Crisp then?
Miles: No! There's no 4 on this shirt
Nate:  What? (Nearly chokes on his beverage, looks at Kelly - both dumbfounded.)
Kelly:  (ding ding) Siri, What is Coco Crisp's jersey number?
Siri: Coco Crisp is #4 for the Oakland Athletics.
Nate and Kelly: Wow!

Yeah.... that JUST happened!
Happy Sunday to you all!


- Posted from my iPhone

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Posted in: Miles,Things my kid says

Mr. Klinge

Hello and Happy New Year!
Sorry that I've been such a stranger.
I would love to say that I resolve to post more often this year, but we all know how that would turn out.  New Year's resolutions are meant to be broken.

As many of you know, my computer has been failing me lately.  I had downloaded an app a LONG time ago that would allow me to compose and post directly from my phone.  Sadly, the app quit working several months back.  Well today, I was able to find an online tutorial to remedy the situation. Yippee for me and for you!

So... this is a photo that I attempted to post from my phone in early November.  I forgot all about it!

Mr. Klinge is shown below, "reading" to his class! Many of the kids in the class seem to be able to memorize books and can read the pictures back to their class.  It's pretty cute!  Lovin' the development of his public speaking skills!


- Posted from my iPhone

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Posted in: Miles